NSA Spying On Yahoo Users And Xbox Owners, Leaked Documents Claim

Time to throw out those Kinects.

The government is spying on Yahoo users via their webcams and X-box, according to a report based on leaked documents. Both the American and British governments are now accused of spying on citizens in their own home, sans either a warrant or just cause.

The document goes on to state that a multitude of the data collected contained sexually explicit imagery and nudity. Yahoo has condemned the online spying as a “whole new level of violation of our users’ privacy” and claims they knew nothing of the surveillance program.

The GCHQ spying program also reportedly included Xbox 360′s Kinect camera. The report stated that the Kinect camera generates “fairly normal webcam traffic” and is being evaluated as a useful surveillance tool. The “always on” camera featured on the Xbox One is allegedly very open to abuse by both governmental agencies and cyber hackers.

Optic Nerve was just one of a series of GCHQ efforts at biometric detection, whether for target recognition or general security.While the documents do not detail efforts as widescale as those against Yahoo users, one presentation discusses with interest the potential and capabilities of the Xbox 360's Kinect camera, saying it generated "fairly normal webcam traffic" and was being evaluated as part of a wider program.

And,

The GCHQ program was seemingly not limited to Yahoo user web cams either. Another presentation within the leaked internal papers discusses the capabilities of the Xbox 360′s Kinect camera, saying it generated “fairly normal webcam traffic” and that it was being evaluated as a potential surveillance tool.

We have also documented the potential use of Xbox for surveillance purposes, noting that Skype calls made on the devices can be intercepted. We have also warned that the ‘always on’ camera of the new Xbox One, which is so powerful it can see through clothing, is wide open to abuse by hackers and government agencies.

It's a lot of 'maybe's and 'potential possibilities'. Nothing actually confirming that either the 360's or XB1's Kinect models have been used for direct spying. In fact the specific language used indicates that it hasn't yet. Not that it really matters -- if it's not been used yet it's only a matter of time.

You can't trust your Government. They will $#@! you over however they can.

Originally Posted by Sub-stance1

lol..at the "optic nerve document". Dont let paranoia get the best of you people. Everytime you go on the internet you are being spied on. That means you too PSU....lol

Paranoia has absolutely nothing to do with it, especially with all the released information over the past couple of years.

you don't need a camera to spy. Its just another way of doing it. Governments can get anything they need on you. If you have a SSN they probably already do....lol When PSU is on the fritz, its probably the government.

It's a lot of 'maybe's and 'potential possibilities'. Nothing actually confirming that either the 360's or XB1's Kinect models have been used for direct spying. In fact the specific language used indicates that it hasn't yet. Not that it really matters -- if it's not been used yet it's only a matter of time.

You can't trust your Government. They will $#@! you over however they can.

Paranoia has absolutely nothing to do with it, especially with all the released information over the past couple of years.

That anyone would even use the word 'paranoia' to describe those with an avid distrust for government these days is just.. I don't even have the words for it.

all governments spy. Are people that shocked that a spy agency is spying....lol

NO one is shocked they spy. Maybe disgusted, distrust, etc. But not 'shocked'.

I don't want to see the "defence" for spying to be "people shouldn't be shocked". Being 'shocked' isn't what they're feeling... Unless you only found out about technology like 10 mins ago, then no, that isn't a valid retort...

you don't need a camera to spy. Its just another way of doing it. Governments can get anything they need on you. If you have a SSN they probably already do....lol When PSU is on the fritz, its probably the government.

NO one is shocked they spy. Maybe disgusted, distrust, etc. But not 'shocked'.

I don't want to see the "defence" for spying to be "people shouldn't be shocked". Being 'shocked' isn't what they're feeling... Unless you only found out about technology like 10 mins ago, then no, that isn't a valid retort...

Then be disgusted that they spy. Not just when its brought up in a game forum. We were being spied on long before social media came about. If you're paranoid about it then don't use social media and stay away from technology. It won't change the outcome. Any info they want they can get with or without our permission. It sucks, but it's the reality of the society that we live in.

Originally Posted by Christopher

digital traffic isn't a window into your home. just stop.

oh, you couldn't be more wrong. You may not like it but in some cases it is. I know people who found out the hard way.

Then be disgusted that they spy. Not just when its brought up in a game forum. We were being spied on long before social media came about. If you're paranoid about it then don't use social media and stay away from technology. It won't change the outcome. Any info they want they can get with or without our permission. It sucks, but it's the reality of the society that we live in.

Now you're dictating when and where people should feel about this issue? People aren't only reminded of it when these things come up - I'm sure it's an opinion or feeling that exists before and after it is posted anywhere.

You are right - it is a reality - but at the same time, people can be against it as well. It's not mutually exclusive.

Originally Posted by Sub-stance1

oh, you couldn't be more wrong. You may not like it but in some cases it is. I know people who found out the hard way.

Again, Chris/others aren't saying that this isn't a fact. That rather, it shouldn't be.

Neither Yahoo nor MS are colluding with this intrusion and I think that makes it even worse that they can do all this even without the knowledge or permission of the manufacturers. I don't even trust my ps4 cam since I learned you can't turn off the mic on it. It's been unplugged since the first week.

Now you're dictating when and where people should feel about this issue? People aren't only reminded of it when these things come up - I'm sure it's an opinion or feeling that exists before and after it is posted anywhere.

You are right - it is a reality - but at the same time, people can be against it as well. It's not mutually exclusive.

I'm not dictating anything. i'm just saying governments spy. Not just on yahoo users or xb1 owners. So if you are gonna be paranoid, be that way for almost any type of technology. Just because you feel a certain way doesn't mean it should interfere with our daily lives. Big companies like MS and sony know these things happen. There isn't much they can do about it. Some people even agree to it without ever knowing it because they choose not to read.

Again, Chris/others aren't saying that this isn't a fact. That rather, it shouldn't be.

Can you tell the difference? Or are you ignoring it on purpose?

yea, like a million other things. They shouldn't use banks and "credit checks" to spy on us either but they do.

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